Students, UO staff voice concerns on sexual assault reporting policy

About 40 students and faculty members gathered in Columbia Hall 150 to address sexual assault reporting policy on campus Friday. The forum hosted by The University of Oregon Senate Workgroup on Responsible Reporting aimed to give students input before a permanent policy is determined by the UO Senate.

“One of our primary concerns is to write a policy that’s useable,” said McKenna O’Dougherty, a workgroup member and the forum’s co-facilitator.

The forum touched on topics such as the history of the current interim policy, online reporting tools and “soft outreaches,” such as providing resources to victims by email and phone.

“Living in the technology age, there is a certain amount of comfort using online databases,” one student said in supporting Callisto.

One person said some victims want a record and others want an emotional connection.

Facilitators asked if anyone supported the current interim reporting policy, which requires almost all faculty and staff to report sexual assault. No hands were raised.

One staff member said he was worried about the inability to hold a confidential conversation with a student who was sexually assaulted. Under the current policy, the responsible reporter is required to file a report if he or she hears of a sexual assault, regardless of the victim’s wishes.

Who we are

In addition to its news division, Emerald Media Group houses a number of student-run services. The EMG Portfolio includes the multicultural magazine Ethos, the lifestyle publishing group Emerald Essentials, an event photo service Emerald PhotoBooth and a full-service advertising and marketing department that offers a wide range of solutions to engage with the UO community.